Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Toyota entered the Tokashi 24-Hour Race last year with the hybrid Lexus GS450h and came in 17th place. This year they entered the Supra HV-R hybrid race car and came in first.

The racing hybrid is based on a modified Supra GT. The modified hybrid uses three electric motors and a quick-charging capacitor to power the electric motors under the grueling race conditions. The four wheel regeneration and drive system includes front in-wheel motors and one 150 kW rear-axle mounted electric motor. Combined, the system can quickly recharge the capacitor in the rapid deceleration and acceleration conditions you would expect in a race.

Like most race car producers, Toyota hopes to use what it learns on the race track to better their production vehicles. In this case, Toyota is looking to lighten the hybrid system.

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